Irrigation pipe mover

ABSTRACT

Improved apparatus for laterally moving an elongated expanse of irrigation composition An engine powering the apparatus is supported to one side of and below the level of an elongated beam member which extends transversely of the pipe and is supported for movement along the ground. In a preferred embodiment, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, and a control valve for the pump are mounted adjacent the engine and on a common bracket. The disclosed mounting arrangement provides increased operator safety, and improved power and operating convenience.

United States Patent Trunnell Apr. 2, 1974 IRRIGATION PIPE MOVER3,653,400 4 1972 Coates 137 344 76 I t H ld K. T II, 3520 H' l nven or zg gg g 97405 Knob m Primary Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Kolisch, Hartwell & [22] Filed: June 14, 1972 Dickenson [2]] Appl.No.: 262,701

[57] ABSTRACT 52 US. (:1. 137/344, 214/1 PA, 239/212 Impmved PPlatertally Wing f" elmgaied [51] Int. Cl B05b 9/02 expanse of lmganoncomposmon engine powermg [58] Field of Search. 180/49; 214 PA; 239/212the apparatus 1s supported to one s1de of and below 239/l77 137/344 thelevel of an elongated beam member whlch extends transversely of the pipeand is supported for move- [56] References Cited mednt along the ground.In a preferred embodiment, a hy raulic pump driven by the engine, and acontrol UNITED STATES PATENTS valve for the pump are mounted adjacentthe engine 3,3l8,53l 5/1967 Funk 239/177 X and on a common bracket, Thedisclosed mounting 3,293,453 H1967 arrangement provides increasedoperator safety, and

improved power and operating convenience.

3,545,478 12/1970 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures I 26, w 40 4 /z a 40 J Io 0 27 72 fie j o 42 46 /2 34 0 0 6O IRRIGATION PIPE MOVER BACKGROUNDAND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to apparatus forlaterally moving an elongated expanse of pipe, and in particular to suchapparatus for use in an irrigation system.

More specifically, the invention relates to a selfpropelled side rollmover for irrigation pipe affording improved safety, performance, andease of operation.

Irrigation systems of a type employing elongated expanses of pipe,supported above the ground on wheel structures, are well known. Atypical system includes multiple aluminum pipe sections disposedend-to-end and coupled together to produce a continuous expanse of pipe.Wheel structures, provided at intervals along the length of the pipe,support it and allow the pipe to be moved laterally by rolling the wheelstructures over the ground.

Power for moving such a system may be provided by a self-propelled,wheel-driven apparatus referred to hereinafter as a mover. Typically themover includes one or more frame members extending transversely of theirrigation pipe and supported at either end by wheel structures similarto those used to support the expanse of pipe. Mounted on the framemember is a power source, normally a small gasoline engine, which iscoupled through a power transmission system to both the movers wheelsand the irrigation pipe. To reposition an expanse of pipe in a fieldbeing irrigated, the movers engine is started and power applied to themovers wheels, and at the same time to the pipe, which is coupled sothat it rotates axially. The rotating pipe transmits torque to the wheelstructures supporting the pipe at locations remote from the mover,causing them to roll along the ground in step with the mover. Since theexpanse of pipe is, in effect, rolling sideways while being so moved,such a system is called a side roll system", and the mover, accordingly,a side roll mover.

Several problems have been experienced with the design and constructionof known movers. One conventional side roll mover consists of a pair ofwheelbearing axles connected at their midpoints by an elongated hollowbeam. Mounted on this beam are an engine and an associated powertransmission system including a hydraulic pump coupled to the engine, acontrol valve for the pump, and hydraulic motors in engagement with abull gear forming part of the mechanical means transmitting power to thewheel structures of the mover.

When the mover is being operated to reposition the pipe, an operatormust stand next to the beam near the engine and control valve. Thisnecessarily places him close to drive chains in the mover linking drivegears driven by the bull gear to wheels in the mover, and almostdirectly in front of a wheel, a potentially hazardous location. Inaddition, since the wheels used range in diameter from about 60 to about80 inches typically, the engine and related equipment mounted on thebeam obstructs the view of an operator standing near the engine, andprevents him from viewing the expanse of irrigation pipe as it is beingmoved.

In addition to its other functions, the hollow beam serves as ahydraulic fluid reservoir for the beam mounted pump. However, when theintake of the pump is above the level of the fluid in the beam, as isnormally the case with this prior art design, certain problems areintroduced such as cavitation in the hydraulic fluid, loss of pumppower, etc.

A general object of the instant invention, therefore, is to provide animproved side roll mover which obviates many of the drawbackscharacterizing currently known movers.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a moverin which the operating controls are positioned in such a manner as toreduce the possibility of injury to an operator.

It is a further object to provide a mover having the engine mounted sothat an operators view of the irrigation system is not obstructed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mover havinggreater operating drive power.

Yet another object is to provide an organization wherein the engine isreadily started by an operator located on either side of the irrigationpipe moved by the mover.

Accordingly, a mover is provided in which the ,engine, pump, and controlvalve are supported to one side of and below the level of the beam. In apreferred em bodiment of the invention, these components are mounted ona common bracket which is secured to the beam, and which includes aplatform portion supporting the underside of the engine below the levelof and to one side of the beam, a mounting portion supporting the pumpso that its intake is below the top of the beam, and a flange portionsupporting the control valve adjacent the side of the engine remote fromthe beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantagesof the novel side roll mover of the invention will become more apparentas the description which follows is read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of a side roll mover according to theinvention, showing an operator in position to control the mover;

FIG. 2 is a simplified end view taken along plane 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed fragmentary view taken along plane 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hydraulic power system ofthe mover; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, andreferring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, indicated generally at 10 is a sideroll mover according to the invention. Mover 10 includes an elongatedhollow beam 12, supported for movement along the ground by axles 14 andwheels 16, which together form ground-traversing support means. When, asshown in FIG. 1, mover 10 is in position for laterally moving an expanseof irrigation pipe 18, beam 12 extends transversely over the pipe, withpipe 18 passing through gear assembly 20. Assembly 20, which includes abull gear 22 and drive gears 24, is journaled adjacent the midregion ofbeam 12 by suitable supporting structure (not shown) secured to thebottom of the beam. The pipe is connected to the gear assembly, in

a manner known in the art, whereby on rotation of the bull gear, thepipe is rotated about its axis.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, mover ispowered by an engine 26, typically a low horsepower internal combustionengine. The engine shown in FIG. 3 is a self-contained gasoline engine,typically producing about 7 HP. Engine 26 is directly coupled by itsoutput shaft 27 to a hydraulic pump 28 which powers hydraulic motors 30and 32. With the organization of engine and pump shown, output shaft 27is in direct axial alignment with the input shaft of pump 28. Motors 30and 32 are attached to the underside of beam 12 adjacent the peripheryof bull gear 22 by mounting brackets 34 and 36, respectively. As shownin FIG. 3, motor 30 is coupled to bull gear 22 through output gear 37;motor 32 is coupled to the bull gear in a similar manner.

As previously mentioned, beam 12 is hollow and serves as a reservoir forthe hydraulic fluid used in the movers hydraulic system. Referring toFIG. 4, the hydraulic system of mover 10 includes a positivedisplacement gear pump 28 which, as already discussed, is coupled to theoutput shaft 27 of engine 26. Hydraulic fluid contained in beam 12 flowsthrough filter 38 to inlet 28a of pump 28. Hydraulic fluid underpressure is fed from outlet 28b of the pump to inlet 40a of controlvalve 40. Control valve 40 is a three-position valve, having a forward",reverse, and of position. When, as shown in FIG. 4, control valve handle42 is in the off position, the hydraulic fluid returns directly to beam12 through return passage 40b of the valve. When the valve handle 42 ismoved to the forward position; i.e., clockwise in FIG. 4, the hydraulicfluid entering inlet 40a is diverted through control passage 40c,passing through motors 30 and 32 in parallel before returning to controlpassage 40d of the valve and returning to reservoir 12 through returnpassage 40b. This situation is illustrated by the fluid-flow arrows inFIG. 4. In the reverse position, the pressurized fluid leaves valve 40through control passage 40d and returns through passage 40c.

Returning again to FIGS. 1-3, the wheels 16 of mover 10 are driven bydrive chains 44 and 46, which link drive gears 24 with axle gears 48 and50, respectively (FIG. 1). The latter are mounted on the axles whichsupport the wheels in the mover. Thus, with engine 26 running, when anoperator 52 moves control handle 42 of valve 40 to the forward orreverse position, power is applied to bull gear 22 by motors 30 and 32,resulting in a driving torque being transmitted to drive gears 24 andthe wheel axles of the mover, as well as to the pipe extending throughthe gear assembly. This causes a rolling, lateral movement of theexpanse of irrigation pipe.

An important feature of the mover of the invention is the manner inwhich engine 26, pump 28, and valve 40 are mounted. In the preferredembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, these components are attached to acommon mounting bracket 54 which in turn is fastened adjacent themidregion of beam 12. As shown in FIG. 5, mounting bracket 54 includes agenerally upright flange portion 56 through which the bracket isattached to beam 12, and a generally horizontal platform portion 58which supports the underside of engine 26, shown in dot-dash outline. Asecond upright flange portion 60 is provided to mount control valve 40.Bracket 54 fur ther includes a mounting portion 62 which serves tosupport pump 28. An inverted L-shaped portion 64 adjacent flange portion56, in conjunction with platform 58, forms passage 66 through whichchain 44 passes. Bracket 54 also includes a pair of ear portions 68which are provided as a mounting for pivotally supporting an enginecovering hood 70 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in the drawings, mounting bracket 54 is attached to beam 12adjacent drive gears 24, and supports engine 26 to one side of and belowthe level of beam 12. As used herein, below the level of means that theunderside of engine 26 is supported below the lowermost portion of beam12. Further, bracket 54 supports control valve 40 outwardly of beam 12,adjacent the side of engine 26 which is remote from the beam. Mountingportion 62 of bracket 54 supports pump 28 so that inlet 28a of pump 28is below the top of beam 12, and preferably at a level near the bottomof beam 12.

It will be noted, with reference to FIG. 1, that bull gear 22 is locatedon one side of beam 12 with drive gears 24 on the other side of thebeam. Engine 26 is located outward laterally from that side of the beamwhere the gears 24 are located. This enables the engine to be mounted inits relatively low-level position adjacent the midregion of the beam inspace which on the other side of the beam is occupied by the bull gear.Further, bracket 54 supports engine 26 outwardly of drive gears 24 sothat chain 44 passes between the engine and beam 12.

The mounting arrangement above described provides a number ofadvantages. One of the most important of these is the reducedpossibility of injury to an operator. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2,the mounting location of the control valve allows operator 52 to standoutside the track of wheels 16, avoiding the possibility of injury fromcontact with them. Moreover, operator 52 is located well away from drivegears 24 and drive chains 44 and 46.

Another advantage accruing from the mounting arrangement described isthe increased visibility provided the operator. As shown in FIG. 2, thesight path of operator 52 is not obstructed by hood 70, and the operatoris afforded a view of the entire expanse of irrigation pipe.

An additional-benefit of the described mounting arrangement is increasedoperating convenience. In FIG. 3, a handle 72 is depicted, which formspart of a recoil starting system for engine 26. In utilizing the mover,engine 26 ordinarily does not operate constantly, but only at such timeswhen it is desired to relocate the irrigation pipe. With placement ofthe engine off to one side of the beam 12, and in its relatively lowlevel position, an operator is enabled to reach handle 72 from eitherside of the irrigation pipe. With reference to FIG. 1, operator 52 thusis able to start the engine when positioned as shown to the right ofpipe 18 in the figure, or from a position on the other side of the pipe,i.e., the left side in FIG. 1.

Still another advantage of the described organization is an increase indriving power or torque because the intake 28a of the pump is locatedbelow the fluid level in beam 12.

A final advantage flows from the mounting of the engine, pump, and valveon common mounting bracket 54; the entire unit can be removed from beam12 in a few minutes, if necessary, for servicing, replacement, oroff-season storage.

There is thus provided an improved side roll mover for irrigation pipein which the power unit and operating controls are positioned to reducepossibility of operator injury, at the same time providing increasedoperating performance and convenience.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described herein, it isunderstood that variations and modifications are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed and desired to secure by letters patent:

1. Apparatus for laterally moving an elongated expanse of pipe,comprising an elongated beam extending transversely of the said pipewith ends on opposite sides of said pipe,

ground-traversing support means at said opposite ends of said beamsupporting said beam for movement along the ground,

an internal combustion engine providing power for such movement,

means supporting said engine adjacent a midregion of said beam with theengine to one side of said beam and the base of said engine below thebase of said beam,

a pump driven by said engine,

a hydraulic motor driven by said pump,

valve means for controlling the output of said pump,

said valve means being mounted adjacent a side of said engine remotefrom said beam and,

chain means connecting said motor and said groundtraversing supportmeans extending generally in the direction of said beam and located onthe opposite side of said engine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engine is mounted on a bracketsecured to the beam, said bracket including a platform portionsupporting the base of said engine.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said beam includes an internalreservoir for hydraulic fluid for said pump, and further comprisingmeans supporting said pump whereby the intake of said pump is below thetop of said beam.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said groundtraversing support meansincludes an axle, said chain means drives said axle, and said chainmeans passes between said opposite side of said engine and said beam.

5. In a side roll mover for a pipe comprising an elongated beamextending transversely of said pipe, ground-traversing support meansincluding an axle supporting said beam for movement along the ground,and an internal combustion engine providing power for said movement, theimprovement comprising a mounting bracket for said engine including aflange portion attached to said beam adjacent the midregion thereof, anda platform portion located to one side of and below the base of saidbeam supporting the engine to one side of said beam,

a drive gear operatively connected to be rotated under power byoperation of said engine, and

a drive chain linking said drive gear and said axle extending in a reachdisposed between said one side of said beam and said engine as locatedby said bracket.

6. The combination of claim 5, where said bracket further includes amounting portion supporting a pump, said pump being driven by saidengine.

7. The combination of claim 6, where said bracket further includesanother flange portion, and which further comprises valve meanssupported on said flange portion for controlling the output of saidpump, said valve means being supported by said flange portion adjacent aside of said engine remote from said beam.

8. The combination of claim 5, where said bracket further includesanother mounting portion for a covering hood.

9. In a side roll mover for a pipe, which comprises an elongated beamextending transversely of said pipe, ground-traversing support meanssupporting the ends of said beam for movement along the ground, and aninternal combustion engine providing power for said movement,

the improvement comprising engine support means supporting the engineadjacent a mid-region of the beam with said engine located laterally toone side of and below the base of said beam, and elongated chain meansoperatively connecting the engine and said ground-traversing supportmeans extending generally along the length of the beam and located onthe side of said engine which faces said beam.

10. The improvement of claim 9, wherein said engine support meanscomprises a bracket, said bracket includes a flange portion secured tothe beam and a platform portion supporting the underside of said engine.

11. The improvement of claim 10, wherein said mover further comprises apump driven by the engine, and said bracket further includes a firstmounting portion supporting said pump whereby the intake of said pump isbelow the top of said beam.

12. The improvement of claim 11, wherein said mover further comprisesvalve means for controlling the output of said pump, and said bracketfurther includes a second mounting portion supporting said valve meansadjacent a side of said engine remote from said beam.

1. Apparatus for laterally moving an elongated expanse of pipe, comprising an elongated beam extending transversely of the said pipe with ends on opposite sides of said pipe, ground-traversing support means at said opposite ends of said beam supporting said beam for movement along the ground, an internal combustion engine providing power for such movement, means supporting said engine adjacent a midregion of said beam with the engine to one side of said beam and the base of said engine below the base of said beam, a pump driven by said engine, a hydraulic motor driven by said pump, valve means for controlling the output of said pump, said valve means being mounted adjacent a side of said engine remote from said beam and, chain means connecting said motor and said ground-traversing support means extending generally in the direction of said beam and located on the opposite side of said engine.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engine is mounted on a bracket secured to the beaM, said bracket including a platform portion supporting the base of said engine.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said beam includes an internal reservoir for hydraulic fluid for said pump, and further comprising means supporting said pump whereby the intake of said pump is below the top of said beam.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ground-traversing support means includes an axle, said chain means drives said axle, and said chain means passes between said opposite side of said engine and said beam.
 5. In a side roll mover for a pipe comprising an elongated beam extending transversely of said pipe, ground-traversing support means including an axle supporting said beam for movement along the ground, and an internal combustion engine providing power for said movement, the improvement comprising a mounting bracket for said engine including a flange portion attached to said beam adjacent the mid-region thereof, and a platform portion located to one side of and below the base of said beam supporting the engine to one side of said beam, a drive gear operatively connected to be rotated under power by operation of said engine, and a drive chain linking said drive gear and said axle extending in a reach disposed between said one side of said beam and said engine as located by said bracket.
 6. The combination of claim 5, where said bracket further includes a mounting portion supporting a pump, said pump being driven by said engine.
 7. The combination of claim 6, where said bracket further includes another flange portion, and which further comprises valve means supported on said flange portion for controlling the output of said pump, said valve means being supported by said flange portion adjacent a side of said engine remote from said beam.
 8. The combination of claim 5, where said bracket further includes another mounting portion for a covering hood.
 9. In a side roll mover for a pipe, which comprises an elongated beam extending transversely of said pipe, ground-traversing support means supporting the ends of said beam for movement along the ground, and an internal combustion engine providing power for said movement, the improvement comprising engine support means supporting the engine adjacent a mid-region of the beam with said engine located laterally to one side of and below the base of said beam, and elongated chain means operatively connecting the engine and said ground-traversing support means extending generally along the length of the beam and located on the side of said engine which faces said beam.
 10. The improvement of claim 9, wherein said engine support means comprises a bracket, said bracket includes a flange portion secured to the beam and a platform portion supporting the underside of said engine.
 11. The improvement of claim 10, wherein said mover further comprises a pump driven by the engine, and said bracket further includes a first mounting portion supporting said pump whereby the intake of said pump is below the top of said beam.
 12. The improvement of claim 11, wherein said mover further comprises valve means for controlling the output of said pump, and said bracket further includes a second mounting portion supporting said valve means adjacent a side of said engine remote from said beam. 